Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1297549
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 OCTOBER 2020 INTERVIEW PHOTO BY JAMES BIANCHI When you ran for Nationalist Party leader three years ago, part of your message was that the party had been 'hijacked' by a 'small clique'. In light of the leadership election result: do you still stand by that view? How can almost 70% of the Na- tionalist Party's membership be described as a 'clique'? That was, as you rightly say, part of the message I was trying to push forward three years ago. But if you look back at what was happening at the time… the re- al underlying battle-cry was: 'A New Way'. Before even en- tering politics, I felt that there were many people out there – not just Nationalists, perhaps; but Nationalists in particular – who wanted the PN to go back to the people, and to no longer be ruled by those who, over the years, had reduced it to one electoral defeat after another. That's what I was hearing in the streets; and I think that, when I won [the 2017 leader- ship election], that is what peo- ple really wanted to see. But it has since been evi- denced that […] there were also those who not only didn't want the situation to change; but who, from the very first day – even before, in fact – worked day and night, first to stop me from becoming leader in the first place; then to consistently put spokes in the wheels of my leadership, for three whole years. But I carried on insisting: not for myself, but on behalf of those whom I represented, and who had voted for change. Today, I can say that I am pleased with the [leadership election] result: in the sense that, if 67% are showing hope that the Nationalist Party can succeed in moving forward, un- der a new leader… that's a good thing. Doesn't it also mean, howev- er, that it wasn't really true that the party had been taken over by a small group of peo- ple? I don't think that's a matter of opinion, really. When you have a number of MPs who – while you're still the party leader, elected for five years – go and ask the President to appoint a new Opposition leader… that's not an opinion. That's a state- ment of historical fact. […] What I can say for cer- tain, however, is that – apart from putting spokes in the wheels, and not helping the party to grow under my leader- ship – they also blamed me for the state the Nationalist Party was in. One day it would be be- cause of a survey; the next day, because of some 'new informa- tion' that came out; or on the basis of a newspaper editorial… But let's not beat about the bush. The reality is that… I'm not saying I'm perfect: far from it. I make mistakes, all the time. But I don't think the solution to the PN's problems should have been to remove the party leader; but rather, to remove the people who worked against the interests of both leader and party; and who persist in open- ly sowing division… creating a sense of disunity… preaching hatred… I don't believe in that. And my beliefs remain the same, whether I'm the party leader, a member of Parliament, or just an ordinary citizen. That's why I will continue fighting for what I believe in… You mention 'unity', but at the same time you are promising to keep up the fight against those who continually 'put spokes in your wheels'. This means you will be contesting the next election, on the same party ticket as (among others) Jason Azzopardi. Meanwhile, others voices – e.g, Manuel Delia, Andrew Borg Cardona, etc. – are calling for you to quit the party, in light of the result. How can the PN ever hope to achieve 'unity', under such circumstances? I won't say it 'no longer both- ers me'… but let's just say I am now used to the fact that peo- ple like the ones you mention consistently attack me on a personal level. It's something I disagree with, naturally… and not because they attack me. I don't think anyone should be attacked personally: in politics or anywhere else. But it especially bothers me that these people are not just attacking me; but also the par- ty that I love… not to mention other people. You can't call people 'vermin' [grieden], or 'monsters'. You can't divide people into 'first, second, and third-class Nationalists'. You and I, for instance. We don't know each other well, and we may not agree on a lot of things. But it doesn't mean that I can insult you personally. It doesn't mean I can label you 'stupid', or 'ignorant', or 'third- class' – still less 'vermin', or a 'monster' – simply because we disagree. Is that what politics should be about? Clearly, no. So let's change it… That is what precisely you said you were going to do three years ago… … and I failed? Some might see it that way, yes… But who told you I'm giving up? Who said the fight is over? […] If you'll remember, three years ago I said that I was going to fight, not just against cor- ruption… but also against ha- tred. I said that as party leader; but the fact that I am no longer party leader today, doesn't mean that I will stop my fight against hatred. If I want to do some good in society, because I feel that the party in government is cor- rupt… I will not stop fighting corruption, just because I am Was it all worth it? Raphael Vassallo rvassallo@mediatoday.com.mt Rejected by over two-thirds of the Nationalist Party members, outgoing leader ADRIAN DELIA opens up about the personal cost of his ill-fated, three-year leader-ship stint… but also vows to 'continue the fight against injustice'